at long last ('Mascherano is a Red II: The Son of the Beast)

[El Jefecito]

What if Xabi has no choice.?

You're right, something may happen. I just don't think it is likely though. Especially not within the next couple of years.

[tomasjj]

He`s homesick,not playing his best and not hard enough.
He`ll be gone in the summer,IMHO.We`re not buying Masch to sit on the bench.

If you know something, spit it out mate.

He hasn't been at his best this season, but he has been on par with SG and our other better players imo.

I think Rafa will use Xabi AND El Jefe to protect the defence in a 4 2 3 1 formation...a la Valencia.

[tomasjj]

Aguero is one being mentioned,among others.The list is in one of the other threads on this site.

Replacing Xabi with Aguero?



Completely different players mate.

Have you watched Aguero at all?

[El Jefecito]

If you know something, spit it out mate.

He hasn't been at his best this season, but he has been on par with SG and our other better players imo.

TBH only his passing has been below par. His ability to win the ball and retain possesion has been awesome. He's definitely outshone everyone else in the league in that regard.

I was checking out some match stats on eurosport and in a few of the games he had 10 succesful tackles. WAY ahead of anyone else in the team.

[tomasjj]

TBH only his passing has been below par. His ability to win the ball and retain possesion has been awesome. He's definitely outshone everyone else in the league in that regard.

I was checking out some match stats on eurosport and in a few of the games he had 10 succesful tackles. WAY ahead of anyone else in the team.

Yep. I completely agree.
I was just trying to take the smooth line here as some people slate Xabis contribution this season. I think he has been very good, and like you say the defensive work, keeping the ball and playmaking he does is top class. He always seems to know what to do before he gets the ball, and he almost always picks the best passing option.

[Diego]

He`s homesick,not playing his best and not hard enough.
He`ll be gone in the summer,IMHO.We`re not buying Masch to sit on the bench.

i thought he was well settled in england and not homesick at all...

[El Jefecito]

Yep. I completely agree.
I was just trying to take the smooth line here as some people slate Xabis contribution this season. I think he has been very good, and like you say the defensive work, keeping the ball and playmaking he does is top class. He always seems to know what to do before he gets the ball, and he almost always picks the best passing option.

It's a pity that people don't appreciate that side of the game as much. Didi used to suffer from the same problem.

[nbryan1764]

Team balance, mate.

nothing to do with balance, I am asking why it would mean the end of SG as a central midfielder. My belief is that even with JM here he will still be playing some games as an out and out central midfielder, some games as the attacking midfielder of 3, and some games on the right. Its a little dramatic (or maybe intentionally a wind up) to say its the end of him as a central midfielder under Benitez

[tomasjj]

It's a pity that people don't appreciate that side of the game as much. Didi used to suffer from the same problem.

Amen.


I always praised Hamann, and Henchoz, for doing all the little important things that makes a team tick.

When doing the Anfield tour I got my pic taken sitting between the seats of Hamann and Alonso.

[El Jefecito]

nothing to do with balance, I am asking why it would mean the end of SG as a central midfielder. My belief is that even with JM here he will still be playing some games as an out and out central midfielder, some games as the attacking midfielder of 3, and some games on the right. Its a little dramatic (or maybe intentionally a wind up) to say its the end of him as a central midfielder under Benitez

I agree , it won't be quite as black and white as some people think.

[kurtangle01]

He`s homesick,not playing his best and not hard enough.
He`ll be gone in the summer,IMHO.We`re not buying Masch to sit on the bench.

I'll bet you a ternner that he's still a Liverpool player next season.

[Johnny]

Replacing Xabi with Aguero?



Completely different players mate.

Have you watched Aguero at all?

Who says we have to replace Xabi with a Xabi marK II?
I read recently that we are in for another CM.Same article said Xabi was most likely to leave due to a number of reasons.
1.He`s homesick,as is his family.
2.He`s not on his game
3.He`s more likely to fetch a big price as the Spanish teams interested have the most dosh.
4.Rafa rates SG,Momo and Masch(If he doesn`t flop) and Xabi is the only one that`s expendable if another big name CM can be found.(Zenden will also probably leave for a small profit)

[Johnny]

I'll bet you a ternner that he's still a Liverpool player next season.

If it was possible i`d take your bet!!!

[The_weatherman]

Who says we have to replace Xabi with a Xabi marK II?
I read recently that we are in for another CM.Same article said Xabi was most likely to leave due to a number of reasons.
1.He`s homesick,as is his family.
2.He`s not on his game
3.He`s more likely to fetch a big price as the Spanish teams interested have the most dosh.
4.Rafa rates SG,Momo and Masch(If he doesn`t flop) and Xabi is the only one that`s expendable if another big name CM can be found.(Zenden will also probably leave for a small profit)

I must say that I regard myself pretty clued up regarding what is said on the net about Liverpool and Liverpool players, articles and forums and such, and never have seen anything credible that would suggest Xabi wanted to go or Rafa wanted rid og him.

[Johnny]

I must say that I regard myself pretty clued up regarding what is said on the net about Liverpool and Liverpool players, articles and forums and such, and never have seen anything credible that would suggest Xabi wanted to go or Rafa wanted rid og him.

Time will tell,you can give me stick in the summer IF it doesn`t happen!!!!